With the golf world focused on Tiger Woods’ latest comeback to competitive golf on Thursday, two golfers with ties to New England and recent first-time PGA Tour winners flew under the radar but got off to solid starts at the Bridgestone Invitational.
Keegan Bradley, who notched his first tour win in May at the Byron Nelson Championship, put a so-so first nine (he started his round on No. 10) behind him to card four birdies coming in and head into Friday at 3-under. The pride of Hopkinton, Mass., and aunt Pat Bradley, an LPGA Tour Hall of Famer, Bradley will resume his round Friday afternoon five shots back of leader Adam Scott.
The 25-year-old Woodstock, Vt., native was quite pleased with his effort.
“These [World Golf Championships] events are a golfers heaven!,” Keegan tweeted after his round. “2somes,no cut,big purse, great course. Only thing better would be free ice cream at the turn.”
Scott Stallings, who hails from Worcester, Mass., followed up last week’s Greenbrier Classic victory with an up-and-down day on Firestone Country Club’s South Course. The self-described huge Red Sox fan picked up his fourth birdie of the day on 18 so he’ll head into today’s play with a positive vibe.
Mass. State Am. In other New England golf news, Katie Nelson won her first Massachusetts State Amateur title at Weston Country Club Thursday. The 18-year-old who plays at Cyprian Keyes Golf Club, bested Butter Brook GC’s Tracy Martin, 1-up, in match play. Nelson came from four holes back to win the title.
Nelson got to the finals by defeating 2009 champ Mary Chamberlain, 1-up, in a semifinal contest. Martin defeated Mary Gale, 5 and 4, in the other semifinal competition.
Mass Amateur Publinks. Scott Congdon put a birdie-birdie finish at South Shore Country Club in Hingham to good use, as the 24-year-old from Foxborough won the Massachusetts Golf Association’s Amateur Public Links championship by one stroke.
Ouimet Fund. Perhaps the hottest golfer in New England, 13-year-old Megan Khang of Rockland, won the women’s division of the annual Francis Ouimet Memorial Invitational by one shot over Isabel Southard of Sharon. Khang, who made the third-round cut at this week’s Junior PGA Championship in Indiana, was the first young woman to break par at the event in which LPGA Tour golfer Alison Walshe and other top women golfers in the state have participated. Khang is the first alternate for the upcoming U.S. Women’s Amateur as well.
John Gilmartin, who plays out of Indian Ridge CC in Andover, beat new Mass. Amateur champ Ryan Riley (Norton CC) in a playoff to win the men’s division for the second time.
Speaking of the Ouimet Fund, 42 golfers, clubs, or organizations have enlisted to play in the fund’s 19th Golf Marathon on August 10 on the South Course at Stow Acres CC. The leading fundraising golf marathon in the country, organizers hope this year’s event will reach two milestones — 100,000 total holes played and $4 million raised. You may call 774-430-9090 to make a pledge.
U.S. Women’s Amateur. Danielle Kang will defend her U.S. Women’s Amateur title at Rhode Island Country Club next week. Kang, 18, won last year’s tourney and plans to turn pro immediately after the event, which will take place on the 100-year-old Donald Ross course in Barrington.
The contest will begin Monday with 156 golfers going at it in two stroke-play rounds to determine the 64 who will qualify for match play. Brittany Altomare, the only Massachusetts player in the field, hopes to make it to the final 36-hole tilt, which is set for August 14.
Walker Cup. Reigning U.S. Amateur champ Peter Uihlein — of the New Bedford, Mass., and Titleist Uihleins — will compete in this year’s Walker Cup. The Oklahoma State senior was one of four golfers to learn this week that they’ll represent the U.S. against the Great Britain & Ireland team in the biennial amateur version of the Ryder Cup. The matches are scheduled for September 10-September 11 at Scotland’s Royal Aberdeen.
(Emily Kay is a regular contributor to New England Golf Monthly. Check her out on the Waggle Room, Boston Golf Examiner, National Golf Examiner, and GottaGoGolf websites. You may also follow Kay on Twitter @golfexaminer.)
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